Device for pencils or the like



Nov. 18, 1941. B. J. REESE DEVICE FCRy PENCILS OR THE LIKE Ev uw @i www @MVN QAM. N NW QN Q 5%. nw m 2. kwllwk IW N\ wm w im M Al \%w w m \k \m\ Tl Tk \%N NQ. v

NOV- 18, 1941. B, J REESE DEVICE FOR PENGILS OR- THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 2, 1939 Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE ron raNorLs on. 'rua una Berthold J. Reese, New York, N. Y. Application october 2, 1988, serial No. 297,571

1 Claim.

This invention relates to devices for pencils or the like, and has for its object to provide a novelty pencil which may be used for advertising purposes. For example, and as one embodiment, the ordinary pencil used for writing is provided with certain devices embodying the invention, whereby, due to the shifting of parts, a certain problem may be solved or a question may be answered. Such devices may be applied to a pen, fountain pen, pencil, mechanical pencil, or any other instrument or implements, or may be used separately. It has other applications hereafter pointed out.

The invention itself consists in the cooperation of certain parts, in which one part forms a basic field with indications distributed over the n same.

Another part forms a separator in which all but one group of indications of that eld are masked; and a third part forms also a separator in which all of the foregoing group excepting the one desired indication, is masked.

More particularly, the invention consists in having the first part provided with indications on one longitudinal line, other` indications on lines parallel therewith, and also longitudinally arranged.

Another member adapted to be superimposed upon the first or basic member has a longitudinal slot or longitudinal transparent portion so as to mask out all the indications on the basic eld except those on one longitudinal line, and a third member adapted to be superimposed upon the second member has indications thereon with transparent or cut out openings arranged in steplike formation, so that said third member masks out all indications on the longitudinal line excepting the single spacing of the basic iieldbelow a certain one of these openings, Whereby the answer to a question may be given. These three members may be superimposed upon each other in fiat or other form, but in the embodi-l ment as applied to a pencil they are formed into cylindrical members superimposed upon each other in concentric relation, so thatthey may be rotated one in respect to the other.

vThe embodiment of the invention includes also a common indicator on the second or intermediate member, to bring into alignment certain indications on the basic member with certain indications on the top member.

The invention will be more fully described hereinafter, an embodiment thereof shown in set forth in the claim appended hereto.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a side view of a pencil made in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the top blank used to carry out the invention;

Figure 3 is a. plan view of the neXt lower blank used to carry out the invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the lowest blank used to carry out the invention;

Figure 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of Figure l;

Figure 6 vis an enlarged partial view of the embodiment of the invention;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional unit of another embodiment of the invention, drawn diagrammatically;

Flgure is a plan view of an intermediate blank to be formed into a cylinder; and

Figure 9 is a partial view of still another embodiment of the invention.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the various views.

Referring to the drawings, an embodiment of the invention is shown in the form of a pencil. The invention may be embodied in a pen or any other instrument or implement.

In the embodiment, a mechanism isshown by which the number of a street may be ascertained by placing the name of the avenue and the number of the place on that avenue into juxtaposition; only one answer is in view at a time. This corelationship is shown at one end of the pencil, and more particularly, in Figure 6. If it be desired to ascertain the nearest street to 400 Park Avenue, then the indication Park on one member is placed in alignment with the indication 400 on the other member, and thereupon only 54 will be exposed to view, determining that the nearest street to 400 Park Avenue is 54th Street. `The coaction can be in reverse. The indication 54 can be found by being made visible, and thereupon the number of the avenue ascertained.

The invention is thus embodied in the portion shown in Figure 6. `A duplication of the invention is obtained bypreferably using a cylindrical form as a pencil, or pen, as a basis, and inscribing directly on the pencil or pen.

In the embodiment shown in Figure l, the other end is provided with indications to determine the avenue, when the street and its number are known. In the embodiment, this end of the pencil operates by reversing the position of the pencil, while in the hands of the user.

'Ihe means used to carry out the invention as in the embodiments shown consist of three superposed blanks, each disposed so as to form a cylinder, by joining the abutting edges of each blank.

tangles, the field being .generally indicated by I5, X

at either side thereof there is a blank space I6, and exterior of this, a field I1 is provided, which has lines longitudinally disposed in respect to thel axis of the pencil, forming ten, or more or less than ten, spaces, into which Aseparate spaces formed by these lines I8 the names of theavenues are inserted. Preferably, these blank spaces are bounded by a transverse linerv I9, `at oney side,;a`nd byitheedge of. the"blar1k,1.atl the: otherside. The left hand end of Figure .4 'has beendescribed, and. the right hand.y end vis formed in the. same manner.` i I f The blank is then vpreferably' applied tothe pencil body and may besecured .thereto by any suitable adhesive. .The .edges of thei longer .sides indicated by 2I and f2.2 .thenabut against each other, and the blank I0is formed into. awstatonary or xed cylinder. g W

The; next .blank shown in Figure 3,'which is shorter in length than rtheblankiIIl,anr;lex tendsinlength yfrom the `transverse line I9, to

thev corresponding `*transverseline I9a, v,of the fblank I0. 'I'he width of the. blank 25 .is slightly less than the width o'f'thevblank IIIj. Theblank 251s pronaedfwith two autours 26 @Mietbeginning Yat 33,34, and each terxninating'-` at .the central transverse line 3 0 ot thefblank 25..r -The length pfbeach cut out v26, yZI,` extend'sthen from 33 and34 Ato-,the central transverse',r linef30, .and the width' offeatzfl, lout `011152,25', 21, Vis1\a.b( ut the width Vorffoneo'f vthe rectangles.Y I'I` of theY blank IIJ. Qnesuch'opening may be used, beginning `at 33 and terminating at` 29, all on the'sam'e longitudinal line. Instead 'ofa cutout,thel portions'jcor'- responding to .the cut cuts' may( bemade .vor a transparent material, 'andthe remaining'portion of the blank maybe made of opaque material,

and in .this case the transparent portions 26,21, may beprovided at'y their outerl ends with double headed arrow indications or the like. Thelength of eachv arrow extends Yfrom each edge ofjreach blank to a' certain distance inwardly, indicated 5.6

ment therewith, so as to require aslight Imanual operation .to move the cylinder vformed ofthe blank,25 over the cylinder formed of the blank I0." Toprevent vthe blank 25 cylinder from Amoving ylongitudinally Vin 'respectt9 thel blankv Il) cylinder," fixed studs or pins 3 1` maybe applied to the blank IIl-cylinyger,A as shov'vn` clearly 'in Figure 6. t y y I l Ik The n ext blank V4Il has afleng'th equal ito lthe distancef fromithe line v33 Ato the line 34 Aof 'the blank25. AStated otherwise., the inward ends of .the double arrow indications 3I1` and 32 determine the length' ofA theblan'k 4I).Y At `eachy end of this blank 4Il,'=a transverse'line 4I and 42v is provided spaced from each edge of the blank adistance suiciently long to enable the entry of one or more numbers and letters. Longitudinal lines 43,

44, form twenty, or more or less than twenty,k

separate spaces for these entries. The blank 40 has a real or imaginary line 45 at its central portion dividing the blank into two equal parts. Each half is provided with a plurality of cut outs or transparent openings 46, arranged steplike,

which may begin at the left upper part of each i half and which may end lat the right lower part of each half. Each of these openings 46 is preferably in the form of a rectangle, and each is ln` line ywith one subdivision formed by the lines 4I and-43.-- Thewidth of this blank 45 is slightly less than the width of the blank 25, and whenv tween the cylinderofblank-25l in respect tQ-the cylinderr of the vblank IIL' 'loprevent longitudinal .movement ofthe cylindrical blank 4I) over thecylindrical blank 25, the blank 25 maybe provided with, studs 0r pins 43 like the studs or pins31. t

With the three t cylinders ldisposed concentrif cally, yas shown in Figure Land partially ,in`r Elgure 6, the operation is as followsw` Y If it be desired .to ascertain thenearest street to the address of 400 Park Avenue, the'cylindrial blank r25 is rsttrotated overfthe Ycylir'idrical blank I0 until oneV end of the arrowf3fI is line with the medianv line of the spacing v-in whichthe word Park or Park Ave. appears.v

the cylindrical blank 40 is rotated until the num`l ber 400 is in line ywith the other head ofthe f arrow 3|. These rotations ofthe cylinders bring about a shifting of parts so that the transparent longitudinal cut out 26 is in linewith the proper rectangle for the proper street,7and one of-fthe step-likeltransparent openings of theQcylindrical blank.v segre'gates all the streetsv on the 'longtudinal transparent cut out fromthe singleone which is theproper one, masking allthe. rest. Thus, by a series of 'maskings of all thestreets spacedon blank I 0,the cylindricalfblank 25j masks out'all save those on va longitudinalline, andthe cylindrical blank 40 masksfoutall but one of the longitudinally segregated members, the space not masked` being the proper xin'eicizuj-` responding to 4005Park Avenue, vNew Yorkity In other words, 400 ParkrAvenueisat or negarl 54th Street;v Instead-of the longitudinaland/ or latitudinal masking of the member 25, vfollowed by the member 40, these members V25.H and be transposed i .1.1-

Similarly, by turning` the'pencil, theright hand portion of the. cylindricalA blank lII), the right hand portion ofthe ,cylindricalblank 25,?and the'right hand portion `of the cylindricalfblank 40 may be broughtv into play, rvand by like mask-V ings the true answer obtained.,v .This *endr is preferably arranged with housenumberson the` cy-` lindr-ical blank. 40, and with streetson the cylindrical rblank corresponding' to' cylindrical blank I0, whereby theavenue maybe found. appearing through oneof .the small openings inthe'cylin;V drical blank 40. ,This end Ycanbe-a duplicate or continuation of Amore avenues of :the left'end as described, or allrlght Yends of: thejcylinder' may terminate ,atfon e;pointi2in ordervthatqwider openings may. be' used -for-- answers by streets 1 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, there is provided a rotary cap with a turnable,flex ibly springable clip from over the end of the pencil cap, with a pin I3 engaging slot 14. The clip turns at its end (very end` of the pencil cap) so it can be pushed out of the way when and if part of it covers street to be aligned with a number. By rotating the cap III with its streets thereon, to align a certain street with the arrow 32 which has in turn been aligned with the number of the street, only the desired avenue visible through one of the small openings in the cylindrical blank 40 may be seen by the user.

It will have been seen that the inner portion of the ground or basal blank has all of the markings of one class, greatest in number; the iield of the spaces 20, markings of another class, the eld of the spaces formed by the lines 4I and 43, of still another class` By tiering two classes of lesser number of units together by means of a visual indicator, then only the true answer is visible through registering openings, said answer being one of the units of the class largest in number. This result is obtained by the cooperation of a longitudinal slot segregating a longitudinal group from the rest of the units, with a diagonal or stepped group of unit openings, whereby all the longitudinally aligned units save one are masked from the user.

Instead of street numbers and names, avenue numbers and names, etc., many other combinations or permutations can be worked out, as names of theatres, churches, museums, dates., etc., vitamins and calories, parts of car, mileage, oil, decimal equivalents, known cost and prot, mixtures of ice cream, percentages, salaries or wages and hours, interest, time tables, distances between cities, what to use to take out any kind of spot from any material, domestic and foreign postal rates, proof readers marks, color combinations, paper weights and sizes, publication data and rates, drink conccctions, chemical equivalents, what to take care of every so many miles on car, photoengraving price list, electrotyping price list, etc.

Instead of the studs 3l, 49 and 15 in Figures 1 and `5, small engaging studs, bumps, pins, grooves, washers, or the like, may be provided under or above each cylinder as required to prevent the cylinders from shifting longitudinally, latitudinally or circumferentially upon the pencil, and so as to require a slight manual operation to rotate each cylinder independently of the others. These studs, washers, or the like, are also provided to protect the markings on cylinders from being rubbed or worn by the moving parts.

The material of the three blanks or pencil proper and two cylinders is preferably Celluloid, or can be made of sheet metal tubes, or plastics, or any suitable material. Any number of cylinders can be used. Instead of having the two ends active as the embodiment shows, only one may be used.

It will be noted that onthe basic blank I0 unitspaces are arranged longitudinally which are provided with indications co-related with a transverse indicator on the same longitudinal line. On the uppermost cylinder 40 indications are provided arranged transversely to the longitudinal line of indications and also co-related thereto. Intermediate of these two cylinders I0 and 40, is a cylinder with an indicator to join one of its transverse indications with the end indication of the longitudinal alignment indications, 'whereby by a series of maskings that space of the basic cylinder is obtained which belongs to the joined transverse indications.

All the markings may be made by etching, lithographing, stamping, printing, or the like.

'I'he basal blank or tube I0 has been described as a separate unit fromV the pencil, but the markings of the rblank or tube can be placed directly on the pencil. The order of the intermediate member 25 and the top member 49 can, of course, be transposed. Where lines, such .as I2 and I3, I8, I9, I9a,`4I, 42, 43 and 44 are referred to, these are'to classify and to form segregated spaces; of course, they can be omitted, provided the indications are properly spaced.

To speed up the act of selecting and rotating any particular cylinder, small nitches or tablike protrusions, each of which to have some index-like marking as required, can be included at each end of every cylinder.

The blanks I0, 25 and 40 shown fiat, may be made directly in the form of cylindrical members or tubes.

In the embodiment, an ordinary pencil has been shown; the invention is adapted to pens, fountain pens, mechanical pencils, or to other instruments vor implements, or may be used with- .out them. Also, this invention may be provided in suitable designs or shapes in construction with, or for application to other articles or devices. Some of such items are: telephone, menu indexes, maps, bulletins, bridge score-pad stands, cocktail shakers, toys, games, etc.

In Figure '7 is shown diagrammatically another embodiment. The pencil 99 has circumferentially disposed the avenues at one end at 9|, and the streets at the other end at 92, the intersecting tube 93 has the arrow indication or tie-up at 94, at each end thereof. The outer tube 95 has the number 96 at each end. The outer tube 95 has the step-like transparent openings against its opaque body portion. The tube 93 has the one-half length, transparent slots, or full length opening, so the opaque area masks out everything on the pencil except one longitudinal line. The pencil or innermost cylinder has the answer, when properly blocked out.

In Figure 8 is shown a plan view of a blank 25a adapted to be made up in a cylinder, 0r used flat, or otherwise. The body portion has an opaque basic eld widened into squares or oblongs as indicated by IIa. Two cut outs or transparent portions 26a and 21a are provided, these being at the median line 30a and having open ends at 33a and 34a. At each end, divisions 43a are arranged to have inserted therein, suitable indications. Protrusions 91 and 98 are provided.

It is possible, with one or more of cylinders of this type to increase the number of answers (to be rendered one at a time) to Whatever quantity may be required, by adding cylinders to the other three cylinders 40, 25 and I0 (see Figure 9). By adding one cylinder of the type as shown in Figure 8 between blanks I0 and 25, the improved pencil will be enabled to give almost twice as many answers, one at a time, as with blanks I0, 25 and 40. This arrangement thus increases the eld of information without decreasing the size of the printing or increasing the size of the members. Of course, blanks I0, 25 and 49 must be used in coordination with this additional cylinder of Figure 8. rIhe action for procuring the correct answer is the same as when only blanks IIJ, 25 and 40 are used, except that 4 aacasie and 25. 'Every` time Yone offtheseaddtionalcyl- 5 inders as shown in Figure is added :the pencil will render almost twice as many answers as is possible when only blanks l0, 25 and 40 are used. All cylinders of the type shown in Figure 8 are preferably to be constructed the same -size as 10 blank I0, and each one may have included at each of its ends (short ends) asmalltabI-like protrusion, or the like, as 91 and 98, on which some special index-like marking may be provided thereon, viz: U to mean uptown;r D to indicate downtowm `E to mean east; W to indicate westf Colors or numbers may also be provided for this type of index marking as required.

The above-mentioned tab-like protrusions, or

the like, speed up the act of selecting and rotatring the cylinders.

All the markings on any part of the cylinders of-the type shown in Figure 8 are preferably made on an opaquebackground. Cylinders of the type shown in Figure 8 may, if

required, be made shorter than the length from' 25 20 to 20a of blank I0 in Figure 4. The first cylinder of this type to be added should be slightly shorter than blank I0; the second cylinder vof this type to be added on top of the first (of this Y type) should be shorter in length than the first.

If the length of each cylinderbf this type varies and is less in length than the blank l0, nitches or the like may be required instead of the abovementioned tab-like protrusions, 91 or 98, for index marking purposes, or such markingmay be provided latitudinally along the edges of cylinders of this type. There is one slottedopening (either cut out or transparent, or a plurality of adjacent longitudinally arranged openings, eachbeing about the same size as on blank on 40.

each side of this type of cylinder, each running from the very edgel(short edge) to the center of the length of the cylinder. 4The widthnof each of these slotted openings permits only one longitudinal line of answers to be visible from the 45.

blank or cylinder underneath it' only if the arrow' or pointer aligns one of the known factors on the blank or cylinder below this type of cylinder withy the other known factor on blank 25, which is above this type of cylinder. Of course, blank 40 is also above this type of cylinder and masks out from the view of the user all but one` answer, otherwise this type of cylinder functions exactly as blank I0 in cooperation with blanks 25 and 40. Thetwo slotted openings in cylinders 55 the same purposes as heretofore explained. Of 6 course, if one cylinder of this type is added, the inner bore, when abutted, is slightly larger than the exterior diameter of blank I0. If two cylinders of the type of Figure 8 are added, the

seconds inner bore is larger than the iirsts outside diameter. Naturally, the inner bore of the cylinder formed by abutting the longest sides'of blank 25 in Figure 3, is to be slightly larger thanV the exterior diameter of the last added cylinder of the type of'Figure'8. Instead of two slotted openings in the type of cylinder of Figure 8, only one may be provided if desired. Ify such is the case, said slotted opening runs right yacross the entire cylinder, from the very left edge to the very right edge (short edges), but this can only be when and if blank 25 has one slotted opening running fromV 33 to 34. The distance betweenp28 and 33, and between 34 and 29, can beshortened.

In Figure 2,r a step-like formation of openings 46 has been shown. It is not necessary to have these steps successively arranged. They can be arranged staggered tofeach, or disposed indiscriminately, as long as the different openings are spaced not in the same line either longitudinally or transversely. l y v In Figure 3 and Figure 8 elongated slots are shown. transparent or cut-out, may be provided. In Figure l3 the yslots 26r and 21 are marked Transparent, but they can be cut outs in place thereof.`

I have described an embodiment of my invention, but it will be clear that changes maybe made within the principle of the invention described without departing from the scope of kthe subjvoined claim. What I claim is: A device of the character described comprising a base member` and a superposed longitu-v dinal slotted member Arelatively movable with respect to said ,base member, each of said members having thereon indicating characters forming a composite field of resultant informationr arranged in intersecting rows disposed longitu-` dinally and transversely, a transverse row of indicating characters on the end portions of said base and slotted member forming a composite index, a second slotted member mounted on said first slotted member,'said second slotted member being shorter than the first slotted member and having a blank marginal portion terminating ad-I jacent the index on said first slotted member to leave the same exposed, said second slotted member being movable with respect to said iirst slotted member and having a longitudinal opening for selectively exposing individual longitudinal rows of indicating characters of said composite field of resultant information on either said base or first slotted member, a third member having stepped openings therein overlying said second slotted member, said stepped openings adapted for selective registry with said longitudinal openings to expose individual indicating characters along said longitudinal openings during relative movement of said first and second slotted members, said third vmember terminating short of the blank marginal portionof said second. slotted member and having an'index along its edge arranged in a transverse row, the integrals of said indexbeing in longitudinal alinement with said stepped openings, and a duplex pointer on the blank marginal portion of said second slotted member pointing to the composite index of said base member and said first and third members. Y

" BERTHOLD J. REESE.

In place thereof, multiple openings, 

